German shepherds (also called Alsatians) are famous for both their looks and their temperament. German Shepherds are large and handsome, and they also have an interesting mixture of energy, intelligence and loyalty.
German shepherds thrive on activity and love having a sense of purpose. They’re often used as working dogs in the police, the military and in search and rescue. As pets, they’re known for being full of energy and for their love of exercise and mental stimulation.
German shepherds tend to suit experienced dog owners with plenty of time to devote to their dog. German Shepherds are large size dogs that need to be well controlled. It’s important to know how to socialise, train and discipline them from an early age to avoid problems. There are also grooming and feeding needs to take into account before you purchase a German Shepherd.
The typical lifespan of a German Shepherd is 9 – 13 years. Like other purebred dogs, German Shepherds are prone to certain health issues, including elbow and hip dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy.
Here's what we’ll cover in this German Shepherd breed profile:
What makes German Shepherds unique?
Grooming and hygiene needs
Behaviour and training needs
Mental and physical stimulation
Nutritional requirements
Are German Shepherds a good family dog?
How to find a responsible breeder
Thinking about adopting a German Shepherd? Check your local shelter first!
Don’t forget to consider dog adoption if you’re thinking about getting a German Shepherd.
There are plenty of rescued German Shepherds that need a home. Rescuing a dog also comes with practical advantages that suit some people.
If you rescue an adult dog, you’ll get to avoid puppyhood and adolescence. Not all rescue dogs come with behavioural problems as well. Rescue dogs can be well trained, well socialised dogs that fit straight in. Rescue centres will also give you a good picture of a dog’s character, so you know exactly what kind of dog you’re getting. Rescue dogs are also much cheaper, and they usually come with free neutering, vaccinations and microchipping.
German Shepherd characteristics: What makes them unique?
German shepherds are well known for their looks. They have very attractive faces, with pointy and alert ears. They also have a long and luxurious looking coat with a long, sloping tail. On the go, they’re also very powerful, fast and agile.
Traditional German Shepherd colours are black, tan, red, sable, blue and bicolour. You can also get grey and white German Shepherds.
German Shepherd size:
- German Shepherds typically weigh 22 – 40 kg
- German Shepherds are typically 55 – 66 cm tall
German Shepherds were originally bred for herding and protecting sheep. They needed to have great endurance and strength to cope with the physical demands of herding. On top of this, they also needed to be large, strong and imposing to guard the flock against wolves and human thieves.
The German Shepherd's temperament is the other reason for their popularity. German Shepherds are marked by intelligence, loyalty towards their family and fearlessness. They are inquisitive and highly alert dogs with a strong guarding instinct.
German Shepherds are great at jobs like search and rescue and police work. They can also be great pets in a home where they can be active and where they have plenty of mental stimulation. German Shepherds are highly trainable, and they enjoy learning new things or doing tasks that give them a sense of purpose.
It's important that German Shepherds get all the mental stimulation and physical activity they need. Most German Shepherds need 1.5 - 2 hours of high intensity exercise every day. They love having time off the lead to run, and they love to go on long walks. They also need to be regularly socialised with dogs and people outside their social group, so they don’t become nervous or aggressive.
The typical lifespan of a German Shepherd is 9 – 13 years.
Some dog breeds that are similar to German Shepherds are:
- Belgian Shepherds (including the Belgian Malinois)
- Australian Shepherds
- Rottweilers
Belgian Shepherds are very similar to German Shepherds in temperament and looks. They are, however, slightly smaller in size.
German Shepherds are also crossed with other breeds:
- Golden Retriever (Golden Shepherd)
- Labrador (Sheprador)
- Siberian Husky (Gerberian Shepsky)
Working line vs show line German Shepherds
There are two main types of German Shepherd: the Working Line and the Show Line.
Working line German Shepherds are more energetic and have a more intense drive. Show Line German Shepherds tend to be slightly less active, and they also have a less muscular build.
Working line German Shepherds have the most needs for exercise and stimulation. They often suit owners who have had German Shepherds before.
A German Shepherd’s grooming and hygiene needs
German Shepherds have a rough and dense outer coating of fur with a softer undercoat. They tend to shed a lot of hair, particularly in the spring and the autumn. Because of their large size, German Shepherd grooming can be a big job.
It’s a good idea to regularly brush a German Shepherd’s coat. Ideally, every few days. This will keep them looking smart, and it will also mean they shed less hair around your house. If you get into a simple at home routine, this will also help you keep the cost of dog grooming down.
You can wash a German Shepherd occasionally, if you need to. It’s best, however, to avoid washing them to keep the natural oils in their coat.
It’s also a good idea to regularly check if your German Shepherd’s nails need clipping and to get them used to the process from a young age. You should also provide a daily oral care regimen in order to avoid bad breath in your dog. You can also cope with some ear problems at home.
A German Shepherd’s behaviour and training needs
German Shepherds are great dogs for training, but they need an owner who knows how to stay in complete control.
German Shepherds have a curious temperament, and they are intelligent. They often enjoy the mental stimulation that comes with dog training as well as the chance to form a better bond with their owners. German Shepherds are patient and obedient learners, and their intelligence even enables them to learn complicated tasks.
German Shepherds were originally bred for herding sheep and protecting them from predators and thieves. This role required plenty of alertness and intelligence. They’re still used as sheep dogs to this day, although their use has now extended to police work, military roles and search and rescue duties.
German shepherds can be strong willed, and sometimes, they can try to be dominant. With an assertive owner, however, they are highly trainable.
There are problems that can come up with German Shepherds if they’re not given the training and behavioural care they need at all stages of the German Shepherd's life span.
German Shepherds are guard dogs by nature, and they tend to be reserved around people and other dogs from outside their family. It’s important to make sure they’re proactively socialised from a young age to stop them from becoming anxious or aggressive around strangers. They should also be regularly socialised into adulthood.
German Shepherds can also become defensive around food and toys, and it’s important to make sure this is stopped at a young age. They’re also prone to excitability issues like play biting, chewing and barking, which an owner needs to be able to prevent. Separation anxiety can also be a problem.
German shepherds are also known to have a strong predator instinct and may chase cats or wild animals if they are not properly controlled. Good recall training is a must with German Shepherds.
Don’t forget to continue training your German Shepherd into adulthood with adult dog treats.
A German Shepherd’s mental and physical stimulation
It’s important to be aware that German Shepherds need a lot of physical exercise and mental stimulation. The large German Shepherd size, intelligence and high level of energy make this a must.
Most adult German Shepherds need at least 1.5 - 2 hours of exercise per day, including plenty of time off the lead so they can run freely. They also need regular training exercises for mental stimulation. On top of this, they benefit a lot from occasional longer walks and adventures.
Remember that German Shepherds are bred to work outdoors in long hours in a mentally challenging role.
You also need to be careful about how long you leave your dog on its own. German Shepherds are prone to separation anxiety and do not do well if they are left on their own for excessively long periods of time.
German Shepherds that don’t get the mental and physical stimulation they need can become destructive or aggressive.
Be careful you don’t overdo it when you’re walking your puppy German Shepherd. Puppies only need short walks.
German Shepherd’s nutritional requirements
You should feed a German Shepherd a complete and balanced large breed dog food. The food they have should also match their age and their level of activity.
Puppies need puppy food, and adults need either adult or senior food, according to their age. All German Shepherds should be given food suitable for active dogs, with all the protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals they need to sustain themselves.
You can also get helpful dietary extras. Functional treats like Pedigree Daily Dentastix are a tasty way to care for your dog’s teeth and gums, for example. You can also get dog multivitamins to make sure your dog gets all the vitamins and minerals it needs.
Are German Shepherds a good family dog?
German Shepherds are great family dogs in the right home.
One of the well known features of the German Shepherd temperament is their loyalty towards their family. German Shepherds bond very closely with their family, and they become loyal, dependable and alert guardians. They make very good guard dogs, and alongside this, they’re also known for being affectionate, caring and trustworthy.
Read our guide to the best dogs for children if you have children in your home.
German Shepherd breeding and finding a responsible breeder
Make sure you find a responsible breeder if you decide to buy a German Shepherd puppy.
A responsible breeder will:
Breed puppies with good health and temperament
Ensure puppies are socialised, so they are not frightened or aggressive
Make sure puppies are vaccinated and well cared for
Take good care of the mother throughout her life
The Kennel Club provides details of accredited breeders with registered puppies for sale.
Good breeders have clean premises and happy dogs. They’ll show you registration papers for the mother and puppies, and they should also ask you plenty of questions to make sure you’ll take good care of the puppy they've bred.
Before you buy any puppy, make sure you’ve done some background research to find out what things you need to check to make sure the puppy is healthy. You should always check the eyes, ears and nose for redness or discharge, for example. There are also other things you should check, such as their weight and their coat.
Don’t forget that you can also adopt a dog, and there are many dog breeds to choose from as well.
